The Board found that the appellant's back injury during reserve service, including multiple parachute jumps, resulted in a current degenerative disc and joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine. The hearing loss disability was also linked to exposure to noise during reserve service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence established that the appellant's back injury during reserve service caused his current condition, and his hearing loss disability was related to noise exposure in reserve service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc and joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, Bilateral hearing loss disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 22, 2001
- Citation
- 0114354
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0114354.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of August 10, 2022 for hypertension and July 25, 2023 for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's conditions were found to have manifested no later than the dates specified in their respective effective dates.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD was granted effective August 29, 2022. Service connection was established for vitreous syneresis / vitreous floaters of both eyes. The claims for service connection for refractive error of both eyes (myopia and astigmatism), bilateral hearing loss disability, residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) were all denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to their death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they are moot.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability, and increased ratings for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date due to lack of intent or claim filing prior to July 14, 2022. For the other claims, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and for increased ratings for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder.
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